New Knauf Danoline range keeps air cleaner

October 2014

KNAUF Danoline’s entire range of acoustic ceilings and wall linings now comes with a revolutionary air-purification feature called the ‘Cleaneo Technology’, which is aimed at ensuring better living and indoor comfort.

The acoustic properties and the sleek, contemporary finishes of Knauf Danoline’s product are now offered with the additional benefits of air purification in rooms and facilities at no extra cost, said Erik Ipsen, head of research and development (R&D) at Knauf Danoline, a well-known European acoustic solutions provider for ceilings and walls.

“Research shows that we spend 90 per cent of our time indoors and that an increasing number of pollutants contaminate the air we breathe inside our homes, our offices and our schools,” he explained.

“The indoor air is polluted in many ways; building materials, furniture, cleaning agents and people all release particles and odours (so-called VOCs or volatile organic compounds) that contaminate the indoor air.

“Poor indoor air quality, contaminated with particles such as formaldehyde, limonene, etc can cause headaches, concentration difficulties, allergies, asthma and even cancer,” he added.

“As a supplier of interior building materials, we feel that it is our duty to contribute to cleaner indoor air by making our acoustic products smarter and more functional. That is why we’ve integrated the air-purifying Cleaneo Technology that effectively reduces levels of a large number of air pollutants in a room,” Ipsen stated.

Cleaneo Technology is derived from a natural volcanic rock called Zeolite. In Knauf Danoline products, Zeolite is used in a more concentrated version named Zeoflair. When gypsum board containing Zeoflair is perforated, it purifies air as it streams through the perforations, removing unpleasant pollutants and leaving the air cleaner.

Independent laboratory tests at the Fraunhof Institute for Building Physics in Germany highlight the effectiveness of Cleaneo Technology. The laboratory subjected perforated ceiling boards with this technology to a continuous 28-day test, exposing the products to 22 of the most prevalent VOCs. Measurements recorded significant reductions in pollutant concentrations in accordance with the respective CEN standards and VDI guidelines. “Throughout all the tests, the Cleaneo Technology improved the indoor air quality by reducing the concentration of polar volatile compounds like alcohol, aldehydes, ketones and esters – all typical emissions from cleaning agents and care products.

“Even in the most demanding trials, which simulated the emissions from concentrated liquid manure, the Cleaneo Technology performed impressively, eliminating foul odours and making the air safe and pleasant to breathe once more,” he pointed out.

Knauf Danoline’s products will thus continue to provide indoor comfort to people around the world, be it football fans in Brazil, library visitors in Egypt, office staff in Oman, school children in Abu Dhabi, hotel guests in Dubai or hospital patients in Qatar. Further details about Knauf Danoline acoustic materials are available on the company’s website www.knaufdanoline.com.

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